Editorials: Long story short

State lawmakers couldn't agree in the recent session how to regulate cars that can automatically parallel park, so how will the Empire State fare when autonomous vehicles are waiting at our borders?

Cars already being sold here can self-park, automatically keep the vehicle within its lane and apply brakes to avoid collisions. Every year brings more sophisticated technology, and some predict that vehicles that drive themselves will be widespread in the next decade.

Legislators should be cautious in allowing all the new technologies, but it's essential to pave the way by passing smart laws and regulations now to govern their use. It's time to address this issue, not avoid it.

Statewide solution needed after local tax fix

A Guilderland neighborhood managed to fend off a crushing school tax increase, but the problem that led to a spike in assessments in the first place persists statewide and needs to be fixed.

The double-digit tax increase affecting the Weatherfield section was related to a change in the state equalization rates for the town. The residents aggressively lobbied state representatives who essentially acted to require the local school district to take a second look at the individual property assessments.

Jarring tax increases can be financially painful and even devastating. Some communities avoid this by updating their assessment rolls annually.

Standardizing assessment practices across the state would be a challenge, but it would ultimately be a much more equitable way to ensure people pay their fair share of taxes — no more, no less.

Welcoming effort should enrich all involved

The city of Albany is setting the example on how to welcome newcomers to the community, offering summer jobs to new immigrant teens.

The Summer Youth Employment Program is aiming to provide jobs for the 1,125 teens who enrolled. That includes more than 100 with resident alien cards, signaling that this city is embracing its newest residents, no matter where they come from.

In return, these new Albanians can offer their own culture, enriching their entire new community.